CAPTAIN ROBERT JAMES (RJ) GORDON was born in 1832 or 1834 in England. He began sailing the Great Lakes at the age of 14 (1846 or 1848) on the schooner
"Susan Ann". In 1861 sailed as master of the steamer "Sea Gull" and later established the first ferry from Marine City, MI to Canada. He also owned or had interests in the ships
"River Queen", "Carrie H. Blood" and "R.J. Gordon". I am looking for where he might have signed onto the
"Susan Ann" for it is not clear if his family settled from England to southeast Michigan, Buffalo, New York or even Canada. His parents are also unknown to me. He married ELIZABETH QUINN in 1853 but it is unclear where they married and where her family was located. They settled in Marine City, MI and had 4 children. Only their 2 daughters survived to adulthood.
My Greatuncle was George Davenport Greenfield. He was born in in Detroit on November 18,1836. His obit says that he was a "Captain on large vessels on the Great Lakes". I know his 2 Brothers fought in Civil War. No record of him. However his obit says he was an "old Grand Army man".
Looking for information on John W. Haynes who worked for the Arnold Transit Co. in 1908 on the
"Columbia" sailing between St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, & Les Cheneaux.
I'm interested in finding information about an ancestor, Capt. NICHOLAS ATWOOD. He was born in England in 1833, emigrated to the US in the 1850s, was naturalized 1858 in Detroit. In the city of Detroit directories, he appears in th 1864-65, his widow Julia appears in the 1866-67. Family history has it that he captained a masted ship, possibly carrying grain, and he was "died at sea". I'm assuming this was a Great Lakes vessel, due to his residence in Detroit at 221 Park St. I would like to find an archive or some registry that connects him with a specific ship so that I can locate that ship's records and thus find out under what circumstances he died. Thanks to all in advance. Best wishes for your own searches.
Samuel Wilcox b. 1812 England married Mary Loudon of England (?)1816 Settled as pioneers at Woodslee Ontario (Essex County) about 1835. It is reported that Samuel sailed the Great Lakes prior to settling on his farm. He is also reported to have participated for the Crown in action against the Upper Canada Rebellion prior to receiving a land grant for Yeomanry. What record may there be of such service, where should one look for such genealogical data? Thank you John D Wilcox (6 gen later)
My great grandfather EDMOND MICHAEL MALO won 1st Prize in the Shell versus Barge Centennial race and the Four Oared Gig Centennial race in 1886. This race was sponsored by one of the Shipping companies and I am looking for any information on this race and anything on Edmond M. Malo. I have the 2 first place medals and a picture of the crew with the medals on.
Need to be in contact with relatives of James Cardinal known as Jimmy b. 1891, son of Etienne Cardinal and Euphrosine Villeneuve from Notre-Dame-du-Laus, Qc. Shoud have relatives in the Great Lakes area or he would have worked on the St-Lawrence seaway construction. Thanks Louise
Peter STROMBERG sailed on the "Kewaunee" and the "Lucia A. Simpson" as Master. Sailed between Chicago and Delta Countyu for Andrew Skaugg Lumber Company.
Seeking information on Arthur Atkins, son of Quintus F. and Sarah (Wright) Atkins. He was born about 1830 in Jefferson, Ohio, and later moved to Chicago, where he was living in 1880. Had wife and large family. He is said to have been the captain of a trader on the Great Lakes in the late nineteenth century. Any info about him or his family would be greatly appreciated.
Vital, Frank, Morton are the first names, also Lasley and James. Note from Site Mgr. Vital, Frank and an Andrew were the Keepers at the Skilligalle Light 11th District in the 1870's on up. from: Downward Bound Archives.
I'm searching for information on Capt. Jenks Vincent from Cape Vincent or Watertown, New York. Family history has Jenks (Wilbur) sailing the Great Lakes in the late 1800's. Would like to know if there is any information that can be found on the web of saliors names and ships?
Capt.William H. LaFleur, 1870-1926, Capt.Pere Marquette Carferries RR Steam Eng. Antoine LaFleur, 1824- 19?, wife Margaret Scott LaFleur, she's buried in Manistee MI Cemetary. Need data on Antoine, and other son John LaFleur also Steam Eng., born in 1853, Michigan somewhere. Also, Capt. Joseph Russell of PM Carferries, 1854-1913, Capt. on
"PM-17", in 1910, out of Ludington Michigan. First to reach stricken ship "PM-18" which sank. Picked up survivors. Looking for any of his kin, or data on them. They'd be in Milwaukee WI.
My grandfather Frederick Sheridan Cole was a Licensed Master on the Great Lakes from the years 1917 to 1935. Any records of the ships he was on or any information at will would be greatly appreciated. His brother, George Washington Cole, was also a Captain during this period. Thanks so much!!
Looking for any information on ships in which both my grandfather and great grandfather sailed. Both sailed on the Great Lakes up the 1950's and early 1960's.
My Grandfather Joesph Bentley worked as a shipmate on several ships, on the Great Lakes, as a teenager. Before the Mackinaw bridge was built and before the Soo locks were built. Traded alot with Canada.
RIDDLE- James Riddle lived in Detroit, MI when first married. He ran on a steam ship from Detroit, MI to Duluth, MN. The ship was the
"Lady Elgin". He was a steward on this ship. It sank but he did not make the trip that time. He married Margaret Pennman and had 4 children, James William, Harriet Rachel, Joseph Nash and Janet Amellia. I have no dates except that my GGgrandmother, Harriett was born in 1864 and Joseph in 1872 both in Toledo, OH. So, I assume James Riddle was born ca 1844. Does anyone have info on the
"Lady Elgin" or the Riddle family. They may have been born or married in Toronto, Canada.
I am looking for information about Hendrick Hulst. It is believed that Mr. Hulst spent his life as a sailor on Lake Michigan. The year of this death is not certain but according to records he bought a farm from John Kolvoord in 1852 for the sum of one hundred and forty dollars. Taxes amounting to five dollars and 22 cents were paid by the Widow Hulst in 1856, so in all probability Hendrick Hulst died in 1855 or 1856. It is assumed he among the crew of a boat that reportedly sunk with the loss of all abord. Mrs. Jennie Hulst was born in 1822 and died in 1903 at the age of 81 years.
SHAFER, Abraham L. of Orleans Co. N.Y. Boatman spent winter of 1857-8 in New York City with __ BUCHANAN operater of the A.F.dock. Would like to know know what Great Lake he worked on.
Seeking information regarding Albert WALLACE who shipped out from Marquette, Michigan, sometime between 1900 and 1910. He may have served as a ship's carpenter. He was on Lake Superior during the "big blow" of 1905.
Interested in any info on my great great grandfather Peter Irwin Edwards (originally from Aberdeen? Scotland) who sailed on Great Lakes, with Chicago as his home port (1860-1890 ?). He married Mary MacEwen of Edinburgh, Scotland and Chicago and they settled in Goderich, Ontario.
